March 3, 2011

Metroland's Readers' Poll 2011

Once again this year, folks, here is the real skinny behind this annual mutual stroke fest known as Metroland's "Readers' Poll". I had realized after last year's dumpster dive to retrieve the raw data on the voting for Best Poet that there must be a high-tech way of doing this to avoid coming out smelling like the OH Bar on Saturday night. So I found a 20-something cyber-savvy Blogger (she's got like 6 Blogs going at once) & asked her to help me hack into Metroland's computers, but it cost me. Of course that means I got everything (including some interesting personal emails, I think what the media calls "sexting").

For those of you who haven't seen this week's issue of Metroland, the readers' pick for "Best Poet" was once again Mary Panza, with R.M. Englehardt in the #2 slot (or under Mary), & the third slot was cyperspace entity KC Orcutt. As far as I can tell, this person has never been out in the Albany poetry scene, at least using that name, since I don't have a picture of her, but that's OK. Anyone can be Best Poet, you only need a couple votes to win, as the data from Metroland shows.

So here it is, the final tally:KC Orcutt got 2 votes, probably her's & her mother's. RM Engelhardt got 3 votes (2 were mine because once again this year I voted for him twice; obviously the 3rd vote was Rob's own vote for himself). [Note to Rob for next year: cheat -- send in ballots with phony names/addresses, etc. You can beat Mary next year if you do.]

Mary Panza got 4 votes, enough to win, but not the huge numbers like some years in the past. I think it was because she lost some of her cousins' & nephews' votes because they got swept up in the FBI raids on the Mafia in the past months, & were too involved with lawyer meetings to vote. So if Rob wants to win next year I suggest that in addition to cheating (see above), he uses some of his connections to get the cops to arrest more of Mary's family. Of course, who knows, maybe KC Orcutt will do the same thing & then we'll have a real horserace.

For me, I'm glad I didn't make the list this year. I'm tired of calling Metroland's office trying to get my CDTA Swiper Card. As my father used to say about the Best Of, "That & a swiper card will get you on the bus." So to this year's winners all I can say is I hope you get your swiper card, because I'm still waiting for mine.

(If anyone out there is interested in the numbers for any of the other categories, just let me know & maybe I can help you out.)

Wow you must think so highly of yourself. Congratulations for being you! You must me so proud...Obviously these people have made some sort of impression if they are to be considered in Metroland...Get over yourself bro. Congrats KC and all others who Mr. Dan Wilcox himself decided to bash!

Dan - As a recent follower to your blog and listserv, I'm more than OK with this being my first mention! (Found it funny).. I'm only 20 years old after all! My mom's not hip enough to vote for me though I will admit. I'm looking forward to reading at WordFest this year.

I'm also that nerd who e-mailed you regarding an undergraduate paper about poetry communities in relation to Albany and the Internet so stay tuned for my follow-up!

Great job people! For promoting the long lost art of poetry in new ways and for doing it with style? Congrats! But hey? What happened to 3rd place Mr. Wilcox? Perhaps now it's the poetry, this poll that is truly based upon merit & talent as well as their efforts this year as opposed to say just throwing cruel & unwarranted criticisms at others who've earned their props just to bring attention to yourself & your blog? Yep. That must be the reason why you didn't make the cut or list. Bummer. So here comes the future pal. It's 20 years old, it's running new open mics & it's running great organizations that are making a huge difference in the Albany area & getting others interested in poetry and readings & not discouraging them or their efforts. It's pretty see through Dan. Perhaps it's time to reevaluate your approach to how your blog should treat others. Some very talented poets who are making things better around here and not sabotaging the writing scene or merely bring attention to themselves.

When someone goes out of their way to insult another person's race, profession or ethnicity just to hurt their reputation, work or get a rise out of others or attention for their boring and pathetic local gossip blog at the expense of those local, talented people's names? It is clearly wrong.

There is a very fine line drawn between sarcasm, humor and attempting to ruin others lives just to get a laugh or attention for what you (sadly) consider a "poetry blog" which Mr. Wilcox is doing. And you, Thom Francis? You should be ashamed of yourself. As the president of an organization like Albany Poets it is very sad that you or Albany Poets would lend any support to someone who is obviously trying to slander other local poets just to get his own attention and benefit from it. And the same incorrectness & shame should be shared by Carolee Sherwood who is the HVWG president. Question; If KC, RM or Mary were Black instead of say Italian would you be defending Mr. Wilcox's actions let alone his blog? It's highly doubtful. I doubt even be a "peep" out of any you!I am a black (female) poet who lives in Troy. And I have experienced slander, prejudice and sadly have dealt with people like as Mr. Wilcox who enjoy berating others just to get ahead or for his own enjoyment. And after reading this? You are clearly no friend of local poets. I have been out to your readings locally and have seen the way you all interact and let me tell you this; you, Mr. Wilcox as well as those who would defend you all need to grow the f#ck up. I find your sense of humor not only offensive but prejudiced and none of you should, in the future be considered qualified to judge a even a children's poetry contest let alone your fellow poets lives or work. Mr Wilcox? It's very clear that you are a self-centered & hypocritical ASS. And those who support him? Must be either very stupid or extremely blind.

Sarcasm & humor? Hmmmm... Insulting your fellow area poets ethnic background and saying they are mafia by the fact they are Italian? Or maybe mocking their talent or perchant for being a competent and ambitious young writer-blogger? Or how about maybe trying to implicate me personally that I somehow have affiliations or ties to the police or feds? No. That's absolutely normal Dan, and all absolutely made up bullshit and slander. And it seems that by looking at and reading the comments this year that others are also and finally noticing exactly what we are already well aware of. That you sacrifice & attack other poets reputations, appearances and work to hype your own shit. Pretty sad Dan, pretty sad indeed and embarrassing for you. And those other writers, poets? Presidents of the Guild & Albany Poets, Carolee & Thom? I am very disappointed in the both of you for supporting someone who is purposely hurting and not helping the poetry scene. I founded, created Albany Poets in 2000 to support area poets & poetry and I am now seriously questioning anymore if it was even worth it to do so. I am a writer. One who, like Mary Panza has also earned this title, Metroland's best poet several times through merit and my work, my poetry. And you guys all wonder why people aren't coming out to poetry readings anymore? Why they have no interest in it? It's because of people like Dan who write-blog pathetic articles like this one and weekly go out of their way to harass poets instead of supporting them. "Support Your Local Poet" Isn't that what it says on your button Dan? You have fallen very far from doing that old friend and have no idea what damage you have done to the poetry scene over the last few years by writing this kind of crap. You have become a hypocrite & a serious embarrassment to the Albany scene. Please make like a dinosaur and do us all a favor, get extinct. I'm through bothering with people like you who obviously aren't worth my breath or words anymore. You are a total waste as is your blog. Maybe someday, when you start writing decent poems you can actually earn your way back into the top three again, let alone even truly call yourself a "poet" among the real ones. Why? Because you are writing nothing but garbage & gossip these days and you don't deserve that title."Poet" is for writers who are good with, care about words with heart, balls & sentiment. And you are no such creature.

When someone goes out of their way to insult another person's race, profession or ethnicity just to hurt their reputation, work or get a rise out of others or attention for their boring and pathetic local gossip blog at the expense of those local, talented people's names? It is clearly wrong.

There is a very fine line drawn between sarcasm, humor and attempting to ruin others lives just to get a laugh or attention for what you (sadly) consider a "poetry blog" which Mr. Wilcox is doing. And you, Thom Francis? You should be ashamed of yourself. As the president of an organization like Albany Poets it is very sad that you or Albany Poets would lend any support to someone who is obviously trying to slander other local poets just to get his own attention and benefit from it. And the same incorrectness & shame should be shared by Carolee Sherwood who is the HVWG president. Question; If KC, RM or Mary were Black instead of say Italian would you be defending Mr. Wilcox's actions let alone his blog? It's highly doubtful. I doubt even be a "peep" out of any you!I am a black (female) poet who lives in Troy. And I have experienced slander, prejudice and sadly have dealt with people like as Mr. Wilcox who enjoy berating others just to get ahead or for his own enjoyment. And after reading this? You are clearly no friend of local poets. I have been out to your readings locally and have seen the way you all interact and let me tell you this; you, Mr. Wilcox as well as those who would defend you all need to grow the f#ck up. I find your sense of humor not only offensive but prejudiced and none of you should, in the future be considered qualified to judge a even a children's poetry contest let alone your fellow poets lives or work. Mr Wilcox? It's very clear that you are a self-centered & hypocritical ASS. And those who support him? Must be either very stupid or extremely blind.

Well umm "Egg-head" is it? Why that was an incredibly profound statement. So, let me tell you something; You have no idea who I am or for that matter what I care about let alone what matters here. Obviously you also have no concept of what Dan's said about me in the past or the amount of ridiculous blog attacks which he has made upon me for no reason at all other than that I am known & published poet. So ask me why he attacks me as well as other poets? I don't know and don't really care. But what I do care about is the poetry scene around here that I have helped to create & build as well as being able to do what I care about. Which is to be left alone & pursue what truly matters the most. The words and the poetry itself. In the meantime however? I suggest that you find yourself a better screen name & challenge, start a conversation with somebody else who won't literally wipe up the floor with you. I'm standing up against someone who is being insulting & abusive towards poets. You? You're doing nothing but chiming in to take a cheap shot. Aidos.

How many years in a row will this petty insular infighting go on? Is this good for the Poetry scene? Does this want me to participate in your venues? I took last years comments as satire and this years seemed that way as well. It was amusing and I really was hoping that when I read the comments that things might have changed. Sadly, they have not. My old man used to say: "If you can't take a joke is your skin too thin or do you secretly harbor feelings of inadequacy?" I ask myself that frequently and find I am often surprised by the answer!Rob, your comments here and on Facebook could be read as inflammatory and liable as well. (Good luck with that law suit.) I enjoy your work as well as Dan's, you both come from different sensibilities and outlooks on the world. To qoute the oft over quoted Rodney King: "C-c-can't we all get along?" for poetry's sake at least?Here's hoping next year you can all be happy there is a category for poetry in Metroland and be glad for each other.Anger only breaks down Community and getting along for the greater good takes a lot of work from all parties. In the end that's how you BUILD something. Anything else is just destructive. The hardest thing to do is forgive someone but it is also the most liberating! If you don't at least try it will eat you up and all you hold dear. Poetry and The Albany Poetry Scene included.And just for clarification:I am not being sarcastic, satirical or humorous here. I'm serious and wish you all well and congratulate every one of you. Poetry is too important to me for bullshit like this.

You are absolutely right Obee. Poetry IS too important for this kind of bullshit! And that's why Engelhardt (who has unceasingly been harassed by Mr. Wilcox over the last few years) agrees. Honestly? I don't think you can talk about him-this unless you've been through it personally. I've read the comments on his facebook and Dan has been including (creating drama, starting fights) with Rob for a few years now even though RM has politely asked him to put an end to it. RM doesn't want to be bothered by Dan & is fed up. And really? I can't say that I blame him. Slandering people and publicly attacking them is most definitely WRONG! All it seems Engelhardt wants to do is be able to write & create events without Dan attempting to destroy his events or career. Does that seem so hard to comprehend?

Maybe before anyone else decides to judge Rob you should read what he has to say. At least (unlike this blog) he isn't exaggerating the truth, creating drama or lying!

Robert, that lawsuit blog hysterically funny. Like something a 13 year old would write. You're making it out like you're on a big stage. You're not, and, you're making yourself appear grandiose, twitchy, and paranoid. Maybe you should consider that you're a bit too much into the social networking thing and STEP AWAY from the shit for a minute a day. It's not like you're sooo great and this monster is destroying your budding career. You're about as famous now as you ever will be. That may sound harsh but,... just sayin' 'ol chap...wake up and get over it.

Actually? Its fairly obvious of two things here. First? That RM is a poet, one of the areas better writers who isnt writing the same old schtick like many others out there and second? That [if you took the time to even read the mans comments] that he isnt saying that he is great or for that matter is not asking for anything other than to be able to pursue his writing and left alone and not be included in Dan's blog. Your comment is merely another attempt to insult RM and is once more stepping away from the real issue here which is does one poet have the right to slander or make up things about another. RM is a good guy who has done alot for the poets scene around here and he and his opinions at least deserve some consideration and respect. This is not a celebrity here but a local poet, like Dan who isnt asking for much but to be left alone. Doesnt really matter how much you try to insult or attack the man. From the comments that Ive read here? Appears that RM has won. Treat people with respect.

About Me

Host of the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany NY, member of 3 Guys from Albany, & photographer who has "the world's largest collection of photos of unknown poets." Active member of Veterans for Peace. For listings of upcoming poetry events see the calendar on www.albanypoets.com.